Brave Story

  From somewhere behind him, Wataru heard the ringing of the bell that signaled the Corridor of Light was beginning to close.

  I’m running out of time.

  Wataru gave his mom another hug and said, “Get better soon. And tell Grandma and Uncle Lou I’m okay.”

  Kuniko hugged him back.

  “I have to go,” Wataru said, stepping back from the bed. At that moment there was a knock at the door.

  “You up, Kuniko?” came a voice from outside. The door opened. It was Uncle Lou. Wataru stopped, one foot already in the corridor.

  “Uncle Lou!”

  His uncle took a step inside the room and froze in his tracks. His eyes and mouth went wide open, and he dropped the paper bag he was holding onto the floor.

  “Wa-Wa-Wa…” he babbled, shaking his head. “Wataru?!”

  Uncle Lou ran toward him, but Wataru’s ears were filled with the ringing of the bell. It was ringing faster, more insistently now. The entire entrance to the Corridor of Light was flickering—blinking like an emergency cone.

  “I’m fine!” said Wataru from the entrance of the corridor. “Take care of Mom for me, okay? I’ll come home, I promise! Wait for me!”

  Wataru dashed into the corridor. Uncle Lou’s outstretched arm caught only air.

  “I’m sorry!” Wataru called back over his shoulder, his feet racing along the corridor that threatened to disappear under him. “I’ll be back soon!”

  As he ran, fresh tears welled in Wataru’s eyes. He ran on without bothering to wipe them away. He could feel the corridor fading, crumbling just behind his pounding feet.

  Up ahead he saw the exit to Vision. Dashing forward, he threw off the encroaching chaos with flailing arms, and dove through the exit headfirst…

  …and collided with something very solid. “Oof!” It said, catching him in midair. “Urk? Wataru? Wataru!”

  It was Kee Keema. He was huddling with Meena, Dr. Baksan, Captain Ronmel, and Romy.

  “You made it!” Meena said, running up. “We were worried—the corridor was about to disappear.”

  Kee Keema gave Wataru a massive hug. His powerful chest and strong arms reminded Wataru of his uncle. The warmth in Meena’s gentle voice reminded him of his mother’s.

  That’s right. Of course. The real world and Vision have the same heart: me.

  “Are you well?” Dr. Baksan asked, his eyes showing that he knew better than anyone what was happening inside Wataru.

  “I’m fine, thank you.”

  “There’s been an emergency summons,” Meena said, a serious look in her eyes. “The Highlanders have new orders to help rein in the disturbances that are spreading through the south.”

  Wataru nodded. His eyes met with Captain Ronmel’s.

  “Right. Let’s go!”

  Chapter 33 The Fugitive

  The Highlanders had gathered outside the gates to the National Observatory. Wataru’s group hurriedly arrived to find that there were far more assembled than before. The faces of the Highlanders still on duty looked serious and drawn.

  “Your attention, please,” said a hefty voice from the center of the gathering. A giant waterkin was addressing the crowd using a wooden crate as a podium. He wore a round shield on his back and a curved sword at his waist. Though his body was covered with armor-like scales, he was wearing a boiledleather breastplate.

  “My name is Boré Kim Nan, chief of the branch here in Lourdes,” he said in a voice strong and clear. “First, I would like to thank you for coming here to help us with the protection of our town—now designated a first-priority security zone by the USN government. Thankfully, the worst has yet to befall us here in town and in the Observatory. Save one small incident a short while ago, disaster has been averted. This is thanks to your vigilance.”

  Most of the Highlanders were tall and Wataru found himself surrounded by an impenetrable wall of bodies. Thankfully, Kee Keema was there. He grabbed both Wataru and Meena and hoisted them atop his shoulders. Now that they could see, Wataru spotted Captain Ronmel coming down from the front entrance to the observatory. He was wearing his armor, and held his helm cradled under one arm. Wataru watched him walk down the front observatory steps and cut across the courtyard to stand a short distance away from the gathering of Highlanders.

  As soon as he stopped, five or six Knights in armor came around the side of the observatory, a train of udais trailing behind them. Once they were acknowledged by their captain, they saluted, after which they stood at ease.

  One of the udais had a heavy-looking hempen bag slung over its saddle. That’s no ordinary baggage. Wataru could clearly see the shape of a shoulder and a head wrapped up in the bag. It was the body of the beastkin who fell from the tower, Gyu Titus. They were probably going to deliver him to the branch office here in Lourdes.

  “In this time of emergency, the branches have received an urgent request,” Boré Kim Nan announced, taking a folded document from beneath his breastplate. “This comes not from the USN but directly from our branch chiefs. It is an order to chase down and capture a fugitive criminal. This criminal has stolen sensitive materials that could affect the fate of the entire United Southern Nations. Our latest information is that he has passed over the border from Nacht into Arikita. We think it a good possibility that he could turn up here in Lourdes.”

  Murmurs ran through the crowd, and one voice piped up, “Is he alone?”

  “To the best of our knowledge, yes,” Boré Kim Nan replied. “His name and age are both unknown, but we do know he is an ankha.”

  “Where’s he from?”

  “That too is uncertain. We have a drawing of his face that I’ll hand out to you all shortly.”

  “Even if he’s here in Arikita, this is a big place. Don’t we have any other leads?” Others in the crowd murmured their agreement.

  Boré Kim Nan nodded gravely. “The fugitive seeks passage to the empire in the north.”

  This latest revelation drew shouts of surprise from the crowd.

  “Then he’ll be heading for a port town.”

  “Hataya or Dakla—maybe even Sonn.”

  “We’ll have to close the roads soon, or he’ll slip through.”

  Just then, a woman’s shrill voice shot like an arrow through the crowd. “Is he a spy for the emperor?”

  “We do not know for certain, though it seems likely.”

  The murmuring grew even louder. Wataru saw fists clench and firewyrm bands sway, making the crowd look for a moment like a field of red flowers caught by a sudden wind.

  “All of you, listen,” said Boré Kim Nan. The crowd fell silent, quelled less by his authoritative voice than the grave expression on his face. “As I said before, this order comes not from the USN but from our branch chiefs, on their sole authority. You know how rare an occurrence this is.”

  Wataru looked over at Meena. He felt flustered, or excited—he couldn’t tell which.

  “As one might expect, the government has not given us its blessing. In fact, the senators have gone so far as to say that they regret our decision to release the order without proper authority. Word has it that the Senate meets on this even now, though we will have to wait for the results of their deliberations.”

  “The senators? Useless bunch of bureaucrats,” a woman nearby swore under her breath. She spat out the word senators as though it were a particularly bitter morsel.

  “The Senate’s in Zakrheim, the capital of Arikita,” Kee Keema whispered to Wataru in a low voice. “Zakrheim is landlocked—so there’s no port. There are no factories or mines there either. It basically exists just for the politicians. Representatives from each country live there, and the Senate itself operates for about half of the year.”

  Wataru was wondering what they did for the other half of the year, when Boré Kim Nan’s voice caught his attention.

  “Of course, our branch chiefs have reason enough for their decision.” He looked around at the crowd. “Friends, last night, the Goddess came down to our branch chi
efs while they slept. She was the one who told them of this threat to the peace in the south. That is why they moved so quickly, without worrying about possible retribution from the government.”

  Wataru could feel Kee Keema inhale deeply. His eyes were glistening. “This is truly a miracle…” he muttered. “For the Goddess to appear…”

  He was about to prostrate himself on the ground, when Meena gave him a sharp kick in the back. “Stop. Stop, Kee Keema! We’ll fall off!”

  A stir went through the other Highlanders. Around them, the wall of people crumbled. Some of them knelt, others bowed their heads to the ground. Without exception, they seemed to all be as moved as Kee Keema.

  “We are warriors in the service of the Goddess Creator. The time has come for us to make good on our promise, and act in such a way as to bring honor to the descendants of the firewyrm.”

  At those words, a great cheer rose from the crowd. Wataru could feel the enthusiasm rise in a storm around him.

  At Boré Kim Nan’s direction, the Highlanders broke into teams to divide up the work that needed doing. Everyone was excited and talking quickly. Some teams mounted straightaway and rode out on the high road.

  “What should we do? Maybe join one of the road patrols? Or we can help with the search here in Lourdes,” Kee Keema said, anxious to get started. He paced back and forth, still carrying Wataru and Meena on his shoulders.

  “I wonder why they think there’s a chance the fugitive will come to Lourdes?” Meena said, her arms around Kee Keema’s neck for support. “If all he wants to do is go north, then there’s no reason for him to come through here. He should go straight for Arikita. I wonder where he’s coming from, anyway?”

  “He said in his announcement they didn’t know,” Wataru noted. “But it makes you wonder. Maybe it has something to do with whatever it is he’s stolen?”

  “That’s right. Maybe he needs the help of a starseer here to read them or something?”

  If that were the case, their first priority would be protecting Dr. Baksan, Romy, and the other scholars.

  “Let’s stay here in Lourdes and help with security,” Wataru was saying, when Captain Ronmel approached, his men behind him. Wataru and Meena slid from Kee Keema’s shoulders to the ground.

  “Captain…”

  Captain Ronmel nodded toward Wataru. The captain was a tall man, but still he came up only to Kee Keema’s chest. “It seems like big trouble is afoot. Keep an eye on your young Highlanders.”

  Kee Keema bared his teeth, suddenly angry. “Wataru’s tough. You don’t need to worry about him, Captain.”

  Wataru tugged at Kee Keema’s leather belt, worried at the sudden harsh tone in his voice. Meena was looking at him too, her blue-gray eyes open wide.

  “We’ll be heading toward the mining town of Arikita,” the captain said. “A group of miners there have gone on strike, and riots have started. We fear there could be injuries or even deaths if we were to stand by and let them run their course.”

  “The strike…is because of Halnera?”

  “Indeed. Take care should your hunt for the fugitive bring you to Arikita. It is the largest of the four countries, with the most people. It is a rich land, but that has made the poor even more desperate. I’m afraid the fear of Halnera is creating more hysteria than in places like Sasaya and Nacht.” The captain made to leave, but after taking a half-step, he turned around and placed a hand on Wataru’s shoulder. His silver gauntlet shone in the sunlight.

  “You are a Traveler,” he said, staring deep into the young Highlander’s eyes. “You must reach the Goddess. Take care that you are not distracted by trivial matters, or placed needlessly in harm’s way. Leave the defense of Vision to those of us who live here.”

  Wataru stood, stunned for a moment by the gleaming light in the captain’s blue eyes. It reminded him of the light of the gemstones, the source of the Brave’s Sword’s power.

  “I heard what the branch chief was saying,” the captain said in a low voice. His eyes did not leave Wataru’s for a moment. “If the branch chief truly intends for the Highlanders to act without the government’s approval, and the Senate is displeased with this, then it is not inconceivable that we who are the arm of the government will find ourselves at opposite ends of a sword.”

  Suddenly, Kee Keema’s animosity toward the captain made sense.

  “Even should such a thing occur, I urge you not to get involved. You are a Traveler. You must follow your own course. Do not forget that.”

  Then, the captain’s worn and weatherbeaten face broke into a smile. “I’m sure that Kutz the Rosethorn would say the same. She is your leader, and I would have you follow my advice as though it were hers.”

  This time, the captain turned and did not look back. Springing lightly into the saddle of his udai, he gave a command to his men, sharp like a whip crack, and galloped off.

  Wataru watched his dust trail disappear into the distance. When he could no longer see the captain, Wataru turned, feeling someone’s eyes on his back. Most of the Highlanders had dispersed, but there were still several milling around by the gate. They were looking at Wataru with cold eyes.

  “We’re not friends of the Knights or anything,” Kee Keema said in a loud voice to no one in particular.

  A vague unease had begun to spread in Wataru’s chest like a thick fog. Would they all really make it through Halnera? Would Vision descend into chaos?

  He was glad for Captain Ronmel’s concern, but Wataru was also worried about the fate of Vision—as worried as he was that he might be the Half, chosen by the Goddess as a sacrifice.

  “Oh!” Next to him, Meena gave a sudden gasp of surprise. “What’s that? Wataru! Look!”

  Chapter 34

  S.O.S.

  Meena held her arms at her side, and leaned toward Wataru. Her tail was dancing behind her.

  “Look, the Mirror of Truth! It’s glowing!”

  Indeed, a white light was spilling from beneath the collar of Meena’s short vest. With one hand, she grabbed the leather strap around her neck and fished out the mirror. “It’s showing something! I wonder what it is?”

  The three of them looked into the mirror. It was indeed showing something. Or, rather, it was showing someone. He was wearing a white robe and carrying a staff in one hand. Was he a sorcerer? He was making some motions with his hands like he was trying to tell them something, but the image was too foggy to see anything clearly.

  “It’s too bright out. Maybe if we went to the shade…”

  “Wait, weren’t the starseers saying something about a break room in the basement of the observatory?”

  Meena grabbed Wataru by the hand, and the three returned to the observatory. Once inside, they asked for directions.

  The break room was simply furnished, with a round table, four chairs, and a single lamp. Kee Keema blew out the lamp. Now in total darkness, the Mirror of Truth seemed to glow even brighter.

  The light opened, forming a circle like a lotus leaf in the air above the mirror. In the middle of that circle, a picture formed. It was the man from before, now in focus.

  “Ah, Traveler!” He was looking directly at Wataru.

  He’s talking to me.

  The figure had on a long robe of pure white that reached down to the floor. He also wore a simple silver crown upon his head. The object he carried in his hand wasn’t a staff but something like a silver hammer with a long, slender handle. For a moment, Wataru found himself thinking of the statue of Cistina inside the chapel in Lyris.

  “My voice has reached you at last, Traveler. What’s this? You too are a child, I see.”

  The figure was a man, probably about thirty years old, maybe older. Whether it was the light streaming from his robe or the light generated by the image itself, Wataru couldn’t say, but the man’s face looked very pale, and it was hard to make out his expression. Oddly, though his voice sounded young, the hair above his crown was pure white. Even his eyebrows were white.

  “Who are yo
u?” Wataru asked, trying to hide the surprise in his voice. Was this some kind of spirit that lived inside the mirror?

  The man in the white robe did not answer his question but instead transferred the hammer to his left hand, and placed his right over his heart. “Hear now the voice of our heart, Traveler. Please, you must help us. What little hope remains rests upon your shoulders.”

  “Oy, oy, what’s this all about?” Kee Keema snorted.

  “Our strength has weakened, and our remaining time slips through our fingers. Please, Traveler, you must save us.”

  Wataru took a step forward, leaning closer to the image. The light from the mirror stretched from floor to ceiling, but walking near didn’t make it seem any brighter.

  “What can I do? You want me to help you, tell me how.”

  “Come to us. Come, and listen to our request. For the safety and peace of all Vision, come, please.”

  The peace of all Vision.

  He now had Wataru’s full attention.

  “I cannot say much. My words dance empty and meaningless through the air. We are waiting for you here, Traveler. Come to us upon your wings.”

  Then, the white-robed man disappeared. In his place, they saw another image.

  Wataru’s eyes opened wide. Wait, that’s…

  Shining spires between towering clouds of pure white. A bridge of rainbow light. A gray land in the heights, shrouded in glaciers.

  The Undoor Highland! It was that same land he had seen for a moment while traveling with Togoto.

  The image faded. The Mirror of Truth ceased its glowing, and the room returned to quiet darkness.

  Stunned, the three stood there in the dark, gaping. From a nearby room, they heard the light snoring of a starseer taking a break from his studies.

  Kee Keema lit the lamp.

  “What was that?” Meena asked, holding up the mirror. She was staring at it as though she expected it to answer her question.

  “The Special Administrative State of Dela Rubesi,” Wataru said. Meena and Kee Keema both jumped.

  “Really?”

  “How do you know that, Wataru?”